Quick Thoughts on a Friday

So we are over half way done with our fourth year rotations, almost there, the road sometimes feels endless but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I had a few minutes to reflect this morning about some things I have seen and heard from our healthcare mentors that I feel are important. These statements are in regards to caring for patients and getting them the help and medication they need to get better or feel stable. Then I’m going to spin it.

First, I have heard countless pharmacists say, “We don’t want our patients on this long but sometimes they end up on it indefinitely.” Well damn guys, what could we have done as the pharmacist to intervene, maybe discuss it with their prescriber, will they listen? You never know. The opportunity to discuss a medication with a patient is always weird, people get sensitive about their meds and rightfully so, it seems rare that people are motivated enough to try to taper off the medication. Things like this remind me everyday why Stephen and I started this program, we want to let people know there is a viable place for pharmacy but we also want everyone to understand this can be temporary in some/most cases.

We feel that Tampa is our pilot, this is our city and we want a healthier community while providing the best value healthcare information in Tampa and outward. We have gotten emails from people all over the world telling us that they love our podcast, and that there were some strong points of education end encouragement in the episodes the listened to, which always makes our day. The podcast has really be a fun and interesting project, we have gone from no listeners to hundreds in just a few months. School initially made us inconsistent posting and I feel like we never know what were doing but it seems to be working. The feeling of chaos is enjoyable 90% of the time for me so maybe that’s why it works.

Last moment of encouragement or thought, antidepressant meds are a cruel mistress from the pharmacy perspective. I have known people to get plenty of benefit from them but also have seen them take a turn for the worst. I think we have all felt temporary bouts of depression (especially since 2020), but remember we have a lot to be grateful for and should practice that at every opportunity. I know gratitude has changed my outlook drastically in the past few years and I am sure it can help someone else. Just start by writing down 3 things you’re grateful for everyday in the morning or before bed. From a side effect perspective its great because there are none. On the other hand, antidepressants side effects include, lethargy, blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth, trouble sleeping, loss of sex drive, weight gain, feeling numb etc. I don’t have time to write the rest but I think you get the idea. I will expand on this topic in greater detail but that should be enough to wet your whistles.

Anyways, I’m off to rotation for the day! Have a kick ass Friday and a safe Halloween.

-Patrick